What is Gelato?

Gelato is Italy?s version of ice cream, with three major differences.

First, gelato has significantly less butterfat than ice cream's typical 18 and 26 percent.

However, less fat does not mean less taste. With the lower butterfat content, gelato is less solidly frozen than ice cream and melts in the mouth faster. Therefore, the customer will taste gelato?s full flavor immediately.

Second, gelato has a much higher density than ice cream. Ice cream is produced by mixing cream, milk and sugar, then adding air. Manufacturers add air to ice cream because it nearly doubles the quantity of their product. But, it cuts their quality in half. No air is added to gelato. The result is a higher quality dessert with a richer, creamier taste.

Third, gelato is served slightly warmer than ice cream. While both gelato and ice cream are served well below the freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, gelato is served 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ice cream. Because it is less solidly frozen, gelato?s taste is further enhanced as it melts in the mouth.

Gelato uses real fruit, nuts, chocolates, milk and cream, not syrups, to make award winning gelato. Three centuries ago, northern and southern Italy created two separate and distinct gelato recipes. In the north, the people of Dolomite made gelato with fresh milk, cream and sugar. In Sicily, the southern Italians used a predominantly water-based gelato with fresh fruit.

Ahhh, gelato.

Indeed gelato ! Nice article--the serving temp is a key difference.

Every day in Italia deserves both gelato and limoncello. Hmmm! Come to think of it, why just in Italia?

In addition to the usual suspects for hotels in Positano, I have recently discovered this one that looks like a player: www.puntaregina.com

Also endorsed by Karen Brown

Bus Service between Rome and Positano

Steve_James
Date: 07/24/2004, 08:47 am
Message: The Rome-Positano-Rome bus service runs June-September.

Starting and finishing dates vary from year to year, so you'd need to check with the operator Marozzi.
www.marozzivt.it

Rome-Positano leaves Rome (Tiburtina Station)) at 07.00a.m.
Positano-Rome leaves Positano approx. 16.00

Journey time: 4.5-5 hours.
Fare: Approx. €20

Hope this helps ...

TTT for Terri

thread with suggestions on seeing and appreciating art in Italy

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34516543

I'm trying to get in shape for our Sept Italy trip, by sampling as much gelato here as possible. Is it always smooth, or are there chunky flavors? (eg: nuts, chocolate, etc?)

GAC
Date: 07/29/2004, 06:42 pm
Message: You can look up complete FERRY schedules for the Amalfi Coast (Salerno-Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento) at:

www.salernocity.com
click on "Turismo", then
"Traghetti", then
"Intercostiera 2004"

Schedules are current as of 20 July 2004, and are valid for the summer season. Service is reduced in winter. Ferries depart from the Piazza della Concordia dock EXCEPT those noted as leaving from Molo Manfredi, across town by the Jolly Hotel (inconvenient to train station). Train station to Concordia dock is approx. 400 yards, all flat. Travel time to Amalfi is 35 minutes; to Positano, 1 hour.

REMEMBER that there is also SITA bus service to Amalfi every 30-60 minutes from the Salerno train station. Bus service is more frequent (6:00 to 22:30, year-round) and cheaper than the ferry. Travel time by bus is 70 minutes to Amalfi, and you can connect in Amalfi to hourly buses bound for Ravello and for Positano/Sorrento. Amalfi to Positano by bus is another 40 minutes.
www.sita-on-line.it

GAC
Date: 07/29/2004, 06:00 pm
Message: From Rome to San Gimignano, there are essentially two routes: one through Siena, the other through Florence. Connecting through Florence should be faster.

First Alternative:
Rome Tiburtina to Siena by SENA bus: 5 runs daily; 2.5 hours; www.sena.it
Connect to TRA-IN bus to San Gimignano (may require connection in Poggibonsi)
www.trainspa.it

Second Alternative: Rome Termini to Florence S. M. Novella by Eurostar train: hourly departures; 1.5 hours. www.trenitalia.com
Connect to SITA bus to Poggibonsi, second bus to San Gimignano.
www.sita-on-line.it

Thank you Ira and everyone who added to this. I printed all 56 pages and have been going through it with a highlighter for days. I am having so much fun! Now I have to go to all of the websites. I will be busy for weeks.

The gelato information was great. I can't tell you how many debates I have had over gelato.
THANKS TO EVERYONE this is wonderful.

ttt

Oh Panucci, you are a confirmed fanatic now.

ALERT ! Anyone who is think ing about travel to Italy will be totally inspired by spending some time at this web site: www.jimtardio.com
The best photos I have seen anywhere.

Thanks, Bob. What fantastic pictures!

Good input here !
Author: almesq
Date: 08/13/2004, 01:18 pm
Message: There have been many posts about buying tickets online on trenitalia.com, and registering on the Italian language site, and buying tickets on the Italian language site. You can now register and buy tickets on the English language site on trenitalia.com. I was on the site last night, and it had the registration option, but the ticket buying was temporarily down. Today, however, I put in the train I wanted to take from Rome to Venice next month, and the purchase option was available.
I was a little nervous about doing it in Italian, but now that they have it on the English site, I may go ahead and do it.
I just wanted to post this because I know it has been the subject of many posts and I hope it helps.

Thanks Bob!
I also want to mention that shortly after my post, I used the new site and purchased the tickets. It couldn't have been easier, and I have already gotten the confirmation email from Trenitalia. (I had previously registered on the Italian site, so I'm not sure if you have to register on the new site before buying, but you can now do that in English too).
Glad I could contribute to this thread, since I've gotten so much information here for my first trip to Italy next month. Hopefully when I get back I'll be able to repay everyone by contributing more helpful information.

Well, that certainly makes it easier for those who speak English.

Yes, I also used the English Trenitalia site to get an account, and to book tickets. It was very easy to use!

a thread about great books set in or about Italy

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34410488